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Creative solutions for severe dementia with BPSD: a case of art therapy used in an inpatient and residential care setting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 March 2011

C. Peisah ,
G. Lawrence  and
S. Reutens
C. Peisah*
Affiliation:
Department of Aged Care Psychiatry, Bankstown Hospital, Sydney, Australia School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia Academic Department for Old Age Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia
G. Lawrence
Affiliation:
Department of Aged Care Psychiatry, Bankstown Hospital, Sydney, Australia
S. Reutens
Affiliation:
Department of Aged Care Psychiatry, Bankstown Hospital, Sydney, Australia School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Carmelle Peisah, Suite 30, Level 1, 26 Cross Street, Double Bay NSW 2028, Australia. Phone: +61-2-93628127; Fax: 61-2-98808462. Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common, distressing and compromise care. Their diverse etiology necessitates targeted, individualized treatment. We present a case of an 82-year-old with severe dementia and BPSD, and with limited response to a range of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments. Individualized art therapy was developed in an inpatient setting using felt material cut into shapes and coloring with stencils and pre-drawn line drawings utilizing preserved skills of coloring, while supporting frontal-executive and language deficits. The activity was replicable and carried over to the residential care setting and supported by family and professional carers.

Type
Case Report
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 23 , Issue 6 , August 2011 , pp. 1011 - 1013
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2011

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